Yes, indeed, they are starting to get along. I've only watched the anime, where the hate-love thing is resolved in one episode, but I once heard that in the manga they let go of their resentment more slowly. So, yep, that's what I'm trying to do.

Thank you as always. Dudly and C.Shakespeare, thank you for being always around. rogueishLeia, angeliclin and supersaiyanx+SMOOCHES+.

Only two more 'chapters' to go. I'll miss this.

---

089. COMFORTABLE SILENCE

Mamoru noticed when the girl sat beside him, but he didn't acknowledge her. Since she ignored him likewise, he concluded that she must also be avoiding a fight, and relaxed.

Suddenly she sighed loudly, and he turned to find her looking between her milkshake and Motoki's busy figure. Noticing her problem, he reached for a straw and wordlessly stuck it in her glass.

Moments later he sipped his coffee and frowned. He frowned harder when packages of sugar materialised before him. As he ripped them open, Mamoru fleetingly reflected that life could be great if they kept ignoring each other.

05/04/07

-

090. IF THE SHOE FITS

Mamoru placed a medium-sized box between him and Motoki. "Give this to the Odango."

Motoki eyed the box warily. He trusted Mamoru, but…. "What is it?"

"Insurance," Mamoru muttered, but he didn't elaborate.

Motoki pressed on. "Will she like it?"

"Sure. And this material isn't bound to crack my skull."

That's when Motoki realised the mystery box was exactly the size of one used for… "Shoes?"

Mamoru nodded tightly.

"And you're sure they'll fit?" He was truly curious. He didn't know Unazuki's shoe-size, and they lived together!

"Of course," Mamoru bit out, as if it were the most obvious thing.

06/04/07

-

091. SACRIFICE

Motoki laughed. "Wow. Tuxedo Kamen sure has it easy. Every girl in Tokyo wants him and he only has to take care of the Senshi."

"That isn't fair." Usagi challenged. "He's risked himself for innocent bystanders, too. He cares for more than the Senshi." She smiled a little. "He cares for everyone."

Mamoru chuckled. "Why, Odango, do you think he'd risk himself for you, too?"

Unexpectedly, she didn't blush at the idea but instead tilted her head, giving him a secretive smile. "Why? Do you think that's too much of a sacrifice?"

Mamoru regarded her carefully, appraisingly. "No, not really."

06/04/07

-

092. APRON

"Don't laugh at me!" Usagi ordered as she poured Mamoru's coffee.

He kept smiling, looking anything but apologetic. "Come on, Odango. You are replacing Unazuki, wearing her apron and serving my coffee. Allow me to find some humour in my soon-to-be murder."

"You are making no sense," Usagi complained.

Mamoru chuckled. "I'd make a comment about brain cells breaking under the pressure of those Odangos, but I really don't want you to add cyanide to my cup."

"As if I'd waste perfectly good coffee!"

"Aw, you are breaking my heart."

"Don't tempt me. Jerk."

Mamoru smiled charmingly. "Wouldn't dream to."

06/04/07